Culture and history of Dunhuang as a centre of interaction between eastern and western civilizations

The article presents the cultural, geographic, and economic aspects of the development of the Chinese Dunhuang. The study examines the process of forming the multiethnic population of Dunhuang lands (VII century BC - IX century AD), thus providing the rich cultural heritage of the region. The author reveals a significant role of Dunhuang as a centre of cultural and economic interaction between East and West along the Silk Road. Considerable attention is paid to the transformations of the religious doctrines during the time of troubles that led to a merger and integration of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. The article represents the story about the Mogao cave complex which has been expanded because of interaction between peoples belonging to Buddhist culture due to the Silk Road.